Golden Temple

The Golden Temple or Darbar
Sahib, situated in Amritsar, Punjab, is the most sacred temple for Sikhs. It
is a symbol of the magnificence and strength of the Sikh people all over the
world. In the evolution of the Darbar Sahib, is entwined the history and
ideology of Sikhism. In its architecture are included, symbols associated
with other places of worship. This is an example of the spirit of tolerance
and acceptance that the Sikh philosophy propounds. Sri
Harmandir Sahib, also known as Sri Darbar Sahib or Golden Temple, (on
account of its scenic beauty and golden coating for English speaking world),
is named after Hari(God) the temple of God. The Sikhs all over the world,
daily wish to pay visit to Sri Amritsar and to pay obeisance at Sri
Harmandir Sahib in their Ardas.

HIstory
The Sri Harmandir Sahib was invaded and destroyed many a times by the
Afghan and other invaders. Each and every time the Sikhs had to sacrifice
their lives in order to liberate it and restore its sanctity. After the
martyrdom of Bhai Mani Singh ji in 1737, Massa Ranghar, the Kotwal of
Amritsar took charge of Sri Harmandir Sahib in 1740 and converted it into a
civil court and began to hold notch parties. This act created great
resentment among the Sikhs. Two warriors, Sukha Singh and Mahtab Singh
avenged the insult by a dare devil act. They entered the temple complex in
guise of peasants, severed the head of Massa Ranghar with a single blow of
kirpan and fled away with decapitated head on one of the their spears.

Guru Arjan Sahib got its foundation laid by a muslim saint Hazrat Mian Mir
ji of Lahore on 1st of Magh, 1644 Bikrmi Samvat(December,1588). The
construction work was directly supervised by Guru Arjan Sahib himself and he
was assisted by the prominent Sikh personalities like Baba Budha ji, Bhai
Gurdas ji, Bhai Sahlo ji and many other devoted Sikhs.

Unlike erecting the structure on the higher level(a tradition in Hindu
Temple architecture), Guru Arjan Sahib got it built on the lower level and
unlike Hindu Temples having only one gate for the entrance and exit, Guru
Sahib got it open from four sides. Thus he created a symbol of new faith,
Sikhism. Guru Sahib made it accessible to every person without any
distinction of Caste, creed, sex and religion.

Architecture of the Golden Temple
Sri Harmandir Sahib, is built on a 67ft. square platform in the centre of
the Sarovar(tank). The temple itself is 40.5ft. square. It has a door each
on the East, West, North and South. The Darshani Deori (an arch) stands at
the shore end of the causeway. The door frame of the arch is about 10ft in
height and 8ft 6inches in breath. The door panes are decorated with artistic
style. It opens on to the causeway or bridge that leads to the main building
of Sri Harmandir Sahib. It is 202 feet in length and 21 feet in width.

The bridge is connected with the 13 feet wide 'Pardakshna'
(circumambulatory path). It runs round the main shrine and it leads to the
'Har ki Paure' (steps of God). On the first floor of 'Har ki Paure', there
is continuous reading of Guru Granth Sahib.The main structure of Sri
Harmandir Sahib, functionally as well as technically is a three-storied one.
The front, which faces the bridge, is decorated with repeated cusped arches
and the roof of the first floor is at the height of the 26 feet and 9
inches.

At the top of the first floor 4 feet high parapet rises on all the sides
which has also four 'Mamtees' on the four corners and exactly on the top of
the central hall of the main sanctuary rises the third story. It is a small
square room and have three gates. A regular recitation of Guru Granth Sahib
is also held there. On the top of this room stands the low fluted
'Gumbaz'(dome) having lotus petal motif in relief at the base inverted lotus
at the top which supports the 'Kalash' having a beautiful 'Chhatri' at the
end.

Its architecture represents a unique harmony between the Muslims and the
Hindus way of construction work and this is considered the best
architectural specimens of the world. It is often quoted that this
architecture has created an independent Sikh school of architecture in the
history of art in India.

Attractions
Around the Golden Temple
A visit to the Golden Temple is incomplete without a visit to the
following among others-

AKAL TAKHATIt
rightly faces the Golden Temple. Built by the Sixth Master Guru
Hargobind (1606-44) in 1609, has been the nerve centre or the
Sikhism ever since. All commandments affecting the community as a
whole were and are issued from here. The Akal Takhat was used for
holding court and Sikh congregations in the days of its builder.

The Akal Takhat was pulled down several times by the Muslim
raiders. The ground floor of the present building was constructed in
1 874. Three storeys were subsequently added by Maharaja Ranjit
Singh. A number of weapons used by Guru Hargobind, Guru Gobind Singh
and other Sikh heroes are preserved at Akal Takhat. In 1984 during
Operation Blue Star Akal Takhat was badly damaged by the Indian
Army.

BABA ATAL
A nine-storeyed tower, built in memory of Atal Rai (D. 1628), a son
of Hargobind, is called Baba Atal. Atal Rai died at nine. He was
called 'Baba' (an old man) head over young shulders. The tower was
built between 1778 and 1784. It is the only of its kind in the city
with 108 ft. height.

GURU KA LANGAR
A Sikh temple without a Community Kitchen is inconceivable. Cooked
food is serviced in the kitchen of the Golden Temple 24 hours to all
visitors irrespective of religion, caste, creed and nationality. The
expenses are met out of the Temple funds. Approximately 40,000
visitors share the meals everyday presently.

SRI GURU RAM DAS NIWAS
The Niwas is a free hostel for the pilgrims maintained by the
Temple authorities. It has been built by the Gurdwara Committee. It
has 228 rooms and 18 big halls. Unlike the ordinary 'Daramsalas' the
Niwas supplies the facilities of free beddings, cots, lights and
fans etc. to the lodgers. A lodger is not generally allowed to stay
here for more than three days at a time. The doors of the hostels
are open to all. The lodgers however must not do anything repugnant
to the teachings of Sikhism.

THE SGPC OFFICES
The headquarters of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee are
located in the Teja Singh Samundri Hall near the Golden Temple. The
Gurdwara Act 1925, transferred the control of the historical Sikh
Shrines in the Punjab to the SGPC. It is a representative body of
the Sikhs elected by adult franchise.

Among the other objects of interest in and around the Golden Temple
worth mentioning are :